eMetals has confirmed three scheelite-bearing skarn horizons in the first five holes of its maiden Utah tungsten drilling program, with assays still pending. The explorer also expanded its Mineral Range ground position to 145 claims while ending the quarter with A$1.541 million in cash.
- Three skarn horizons confirmed across five drillholes
- 321 metres drilled at Mineral Range during the opening phase
- Assays pending from core samples sent to ALS Laboratories
- Utah project expanded to 145 claims covering 1,125 hectares
- A$1.541 million cash balance equates to 6.26 quarters at reported outgoings
Three skarn horizons emerge from first Utah drilling
eMetals Limited (ASX:EMT) has completed the opening five holes of its maiden drilling campaign at the Mineral Range Tungsten Project in Utah, confirming three steeply dipping, scheelite-bearing garnet skarn horizons. The holes covered 321 metres from Drill Pad 1, but the geological widths reported so far are not assay intervals and do not yet establish tungsten grades in the new core.
The company said SK1 and SK2 were identified through surface reconnaissance and historical records before drilling, while SK3 had been concealed by shallow cover. The three horizons averaged 5.5 metres, 13.9 metres and 10.5 metres respectively in downhole thickness, with estimated true thicknesses of 4.0 metres, 10.0 metres and 7.5 metres. Those true-width estimates remain preliminary and depend on drill geometry and geological interpretation.
Assays will determine the significance of the drilling
Scheelite fluorescence was observed under ultraviolet light in all three horizons. Core has been logged and sampled, with testing planned at ALS Laboratories in Reno using lithium borate fusion and XRF methods that eMetals says are appropriate for tungsten-bearing skarn mineralisation. The results are intended to assess the distribution and continuity of mineralisation across SK1, SK2 and SK3 and guide follow-up drilling.
The drilling builds on an earlier 17-hole drilling approval, which authorised a campaign across five pads. Underground work at the historic Garnet Mine also produced reported results of 1.2 metres at 0.76% WO₃, 5.5 metres at 0.18% WO₃ and 1.5 metres at 0.27% WO₃, while eight additional grab samples included results as high as 3.83% WO₃. These figures come from channel and grab sampling rather than the pending drill assays, making the next laboratory results the more consequential test of continuity at depth.
Project ground expands as Uganda exit proceeds
During the quarter, eMetals added 36 claims covering 718 acres, or about 290 hectares, immediately north of the Garnet Mine. The Mineral Range project now comprises a 100% interest in 145 claims covering 2,782 acres, or approximately 1,125 hectares, with more than 12 kilometres of continuous prospective strike. The district includes historical tungsten producers such as Garnet, Big Pass and Two R’s, but the company has not reported current mining production.
The Utah focus comes as eMetals moves to withdraw from the Mubende Gold and Busia Gold projects in Uganda. The tenement schedule records the Ugandan interests at zero per cent while the withdrawal process is under way, leaving the Utah tungsten project as the company’s central exploration asset. Earlier high-grade Garnet samples had helped establish that sharper focus, although the present drilling phase still needs assay confirmation.
Cash runway remains tied to exploration results
eMetals reported A$1.541 million in cash at 30 September, down from A$1.786 million a quarter earlier. Net operating outflows were A$183,000 and exploration spending classified as investing activity was A$63,000, producing total relevant outgoings of A$246,000 for the quarter. On that reported rate, the company calculated 6.26 quarters of funding, with no financing facilities available.
The balance sheet gives the drilling program room to continue at the reported spending rate, but it does not resolve the central exploration question. The pending assays must show whether the three visually identified skarn horizons carry meaningful tungsten grades and continuity beyond the initial holes. Until then, the project has expanded in scale and geological definition, but not yet into a defined mineral resource.
Bottom Line?
The next material catalyst is the first batch of drill assays, which must convert geological thickness and UV fluorescence into demonstrated tungsten grade and continuity.
Questions in the middle?
- Will the SK1, SK2 and SK3 horizons return consistent tungsten grades across the completed holes?
- How many of the approved drilling holes can eMetals complete before its current cash position becomes a constraint?
- Will the formal withdrawal from Uganda reduce ongoing obligations or create further costs for the company?